Gabriel Rapetti
Head of Sale, Senior Specialist
LOT 116
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster Coachwork by Reutter Chassis no. 83265 Engine no. P*66345* (see text)
Sold for €230,000 inc. premium
Lot 116
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 83265
Engine no. P*66345* (see text)
Coachwork by Reutter
Chassis no. 83265
Engine no. P*66345* (see text)
• Extremely rare original colour scheme
• Recently restored
• Expertise reports available
• Registered in France
In 1952 a trial batch of 15 Type 356 roadsters was constructed at the behest of US importer Max Hoffman, who had persuaded Porsche of the potential for a 'cut-price' entry-level model. The roadsters' successful reception in the USA led to the introduction of the Speedster model in 1954.
Instantly recognisable by virtue of its low, wraparound windscreen; smaller and entirely retractable hood; lower door waistline; horizontal trim strip at the level of the door handles; and twin bucket seats, all of which served to emphasise its sporting image, the Speedster was effectively an 'economy' model intended to compete with the cheaper British sports cars.
The Speedster was powered initially by the 1.5-litre version of Porsche's horizontally opposed four, gaining the new 1.6-litre engine with the introduction of the improved 356A for 1955. Priced at $2,995, the Speedster was the lightest of the 356s, enjoying a commensurate performance boost that meant over 100mph was possible. Allied to its already renowned handling characteristics, this made the Speedster an instant success in the burgeoning North American sports car racing scene. Its combination of style, performance and value for money made the Speedster deservedly popular (4,822 examples were constructed between 1954 and '58) and today this most handsome of the 356 variants enjoys iconic status.
Its factory Kardex reveals that this Porsche 356A Speedster, chassis number '83265', was delivered on 17th April 1957 via Hoffman in New York, USA. The original engine was number '80942', which was a 1,600cc Type 616/2. The engine currently fitted bears the number '66345'; it is a 1,600 cc Type 616/1 engine. The Speedster is finished in Aquamarin Blau (607), just as it was when it left the factory in 1957, while the interior is trimmed in stunning black leather.
According to the accompanying expertise reports dated 2024 and 2025, this Speedster is in nice overall condition internally, externally and mechanically, having undergone an extensive high-quality restoration. Additional documentation includes a French registration certificate; a valid technical inspection; the two expertise reports abovementioned, and a file of servicing invoices. It should be noted that the car has been fitted with an electrical cut-off switch and a manual priming pump.
• Recently restored
• Expertise reports available
• Registered in France
In 1952 a trial batch of 15 Type 356 roadsters was constructed at the behest of US importer Max Hoffman, who had persuaded Porsche of the potential for a 'cut-price' entry-level model. The roadsters' successful reception in the USA led to the introduction of the Speedster model in 1954.
Instantly recognisable by virtue of its low, wraparound windscreen; smaller and entirely retractable hood; lower door waistline; horizontal trim strip at the level of the door handles; and twin bucket seats, all of which served to emphasise its sporting image, the Speedster was effectively an 'economy' model intended to compete with the cheaper British sports cars.
The Speedster was powered initially by the 1.5-litre version of Porsche's horizontally opposed four, gaining the new 1.6-litre engine with the introduction of the improved 356A for 1955. Priced at $2,995, the Speedster was the lightest of the 356s, enjoying a commensurate performance boost that meant over 100mph was possible. Allied to its already renowned handling characteristics, this made the Speedster an instant success in the burgeoning North American sports car racing scene. Its combination of style, performance and value for money made the Speedster deservedly popular (4,822 examples were constructed between 1954 and '58) and today this most handsome of the 356 variants enjoys iconic status.
Its factory Kardex reveals that this Porsche 356A Speedster, chassis number '83265', was delivered on 17th April 1957 via Hoffman in New York, USA. The original engine was number '80942', which was a 1,600cc Type 616/2. The engine currently fitted bears the number '66345'; it is a 1,600 cc Type 616/1 engine. The Speedster is finished in Aquamarin Blau (607), just as it was when it left the factory in 1957, while the interior is trimmed in stunning black leather.
According to the accompanying expertise reports dated 2024 and 2025, this Speedster is in nice overall condition internally, externally and mechanically, having undergone an extensive high-quality restoration. Additional documentation includes a French registration certificate; a valid technical inspection; the two expertise reports abovementioned, and a file of servicing invoices. It should be noted that the car has been fitted with an electrical cut-off switch and a manual priming pump.
Footnotes
1957 Porsche 356A Speedster
Châssis n° 83265
Moteur n° P*66345* (voir notice)
• Rarissime couleur d'origine
• Restaurée récemment
• Rapports d'expertises récents au dossier
• Immatriculée en France
En 1952, une série expérimentale de 15 roadsters de type 356 fut construite à la demande de l'importateur américain Max Hoffman, qui avait convaincu Porsche du potentiel d'un modèle d'entrée de gamme. Le succès rencontré par ces roadsters aux États-Unis conduisit au lancement du modèle Speedster en 1954.
Reconnaissable au premier coup d'œil à son pare-brise bas et enveloppant, à sa capotte plus petite et entièrement escamotable, à la ligne de ceinture des portes plus basse, à la moulure horizontale au niveau des poignées de portes et à ses deux sièges baquets, autant d'éléments qui contribuaient à souligner son image sportive, la Speedster était en réalité un modèle « économique » destiné à concurrencer les voitures de sport britanniques bien moins onéreuses.
La Speedster était initialement équipée de la version 1,5 litre du quatre cylindres à plat de Porsche, avant d'adopter le nouveau moteur 1,6 litre lors du lancement de la 356A améliorée en 1955. Vendue au prix de 2.995 dollars, la Speedster était la plus légère des 356, ce qui lui conférait un gain de puissance appréciable lui permettant d'atteindre plus de 160 km/h. Associé à ses caractéristiques de maniabilité déjà réputées, cela fit du Speedster un succès immédiat sur la scène naissante des courses de voitures de sport en Amérique du Nord. Sa combinaison de style, de performances et de rapport qualité-prix rendit le Speedster très populaire (4.822 exemplaires furent construits entre 1954 et 1958) et aujourd'hui, cette variante la plus élégante de la gamme 356 jouit d'un statut absolument iconique.
La fiche Kardex d'usine indique que cette Porsche 356A Speedster, châssis n° « 83265 », a été livrée le 17 avril 1957 par l'intermédiaire de Max Hoffman à New York, aux États-Unis. Le moteur d'origine portait le numéro « 80942 » ; il s'agissait alors d'un moteur de type 616/2 de 1.600 cm³. Le moteur actuellement monté porte le numéro « 66345 », il s'agit d'un moteur de 1.600 cm³ de type 616/1. La Speedster est peinte en Aquamarin Blau (607), exactement comme lorsqu'elle a quitté l'usine en 1957, tandis que l'intérieur est garni de cuir noir du plus bel effet.
D'après les deux rapports d'expertises figurant au dossier, datés respectivement de 2024 et 2025, cette Speedster se présente dans un bel état général, tant esthétiquement que mécaniquement, et a fait l'objet d'une restauration importante de qualité. La documentation fournie comprend un certificat d'immatriculation français, un certificat de contrôle technique valide, les deux rapports d'expertises visés ci-dessus ainsi qu'un dossier contenant les factures d'entretien. Il convient de noter que la voiture a été équipée d'un coupe-circuit électrique et d'une pompe d'amorçage manuelle.
Additional information
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